The MATISSE project identified a range of mobility related transport measures which, as a cocktail, customised to local needs can assist in reducing exclusion.

ECLIPSE has identified good practice examples where assurance measures have been successfully introduced and a selection of these are summarised below:

• SAFEMark Awards Scheme
• Independent Travel Training - Warrington (UK)
• Free travel for Police and Wardens on PT - Manchester (UK)

SAFEMark Awards Scheme

The SAFE (Supporting A Friendly Environment) Partnership – Supporting A Friendly Environment - scheme promotes and maintains personal safety on all forms of public transport in South Yorkshire. One of the targeted areas is home-school public transport and, in particular, addressing problem behaviour relating to the county's secondary schools. The scheme tackles concerns about the quality and safety of home to school transport.

SAFEMark rewards schools for taking public transport seriously.

In 2005, it was reported that 64 out of 72 secondary schools in South Yorkshire were participating in the scheme, with 18 of those being awarded a SAFEMark. By reducing the incidents of damage and anti-social behaviour on school services it has been possible to provide additional services and improve the quality of vehicles. Operators have also seen many benefits from the scheme and are strongly supportive.

Independent Travel Training - Warrington (UK)

Warrington Borough Council has produced an ‘Independent Travel Training Package ', aimed at assisting people with learning disabilities, people who are blind or partially sighted, people who cannot read and people from ethnic minority and faith communities.

As part of its Independent Travel Training programme the Borough Council has put together a Travel Training Package, which was originally promoted among special schools and day centres.

The umbrella group for organisations representing the interests of disabled people in the Borough, Warrington Disability Forum reports that the scheme appears to have been well received. There was also good feedback on the scheme during Warrington Disability Awareness Day, which is an annual event held in Warrington by and for local people.

The Borough Council have made links between the Independent Travel Training package and other initiatives in Warrington that are in place to help disabled people, and other people targeted by the scheme, to travel more easily.

In order to improve safety and security on Greater Manchester's buses and trams, the objectives of the study were to:

•  create a more visible police presence on public transport

•  avoid creating the impression that the transport network is a high crime area

•  encourage the community to use public transport by reducing perceived fears of crime and risk to personal safety.

The scheme has resulted in an increased police and uniformed presence on public transport.

For more information on the above, please select the 'Deliverables' icon on the top left hand side of this page and download Deliverable 3.